Corset Review: Corset Story Black Label Waist Taming Corset

As I explained in my last post, I've never been a big fan of the largest corset retailer out there, Corset Story.   So I was a little surprised to be contacted by the company's CEO and asked to review their newest corsets.  But also intrigued.

I received two corsets, one of which I reviewed on Monday.  Today I'll be talking about the corset I received from the "Waist Taming" line. Their marketing materials say of these corsets: "Our patterns, measurements and fit are better than ever as we have undertaken robust market research and listened to our customer feedback so that our new elegant Waist Taming corsets can be worn by a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. We believe we have crafted our most comfortable waist training corset to date!"

The corset I chose was the Classic Overbust with Hip Gores. They also have one with "hip panels" which may have been a better choice in hindsight as the hips look larger, but I liked the look of this one the most.  The Waist Taming line is sold by waist measurement instead of dress size like other CS corsets.  I ordered the size recommended by their charts, which was 34".  I would probably normally order a 32" corset, but I have put a little weight on recently so I went by what my waist measurement currently suggested.  According to the website, ideally these provide 3-4" of waist reduction.

When my corset arrived, my first impressions were pretty favorable.  In comparison with the Instant Shape model I received with it (which I reviewed here) it is about twice as heavy and feels much sturdier. I was also immediately impressed to see it's made with an extra wide (1 inch on each side) busk, which is pretty rare to find.  I personally prefer the extra wide busks because they're more durable, so this is a definite step up.

Corset Review: Corset Story Black Label Instant Shape Corset

The most popular post on this blog is Where Not to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story.  It's so popular, it apparently attracted the attention of Corset Story themselves.  I was contacted by the CEO of Corset Story and asked if I would review their newest lines of corsets.  They feel they have taken steps to improve the quality and address some of the problems myself and other corset blogger have pointed out about their products.

Intrigued, I agreed to give an honest review in return for receiving two free corsets, one in the "Instant Shape" line and one in the "Waist Taming" line.  After thinking about it for a bit, I decided that knowing I have a very difficult to fit figure, maybe I should involve someone  else in the testing.  I chose my friend Susan, who has recently started performing burlesque.  She and I are both plus-size, but have very different shapes, so I thought it would be interesting to see how these corsets fit us.  We both chose our size based on the Corset Story website sizing guidelines and recommendations.

Product photo from the website.

I'll be starting with the Instant Shape today.  This is the lower level item, ranging in price from $80-95.  The one we ordered was the Classic Overbust with Halterneck Strap.  Corset Story's advertising claims these Instant Shape corsets "helps your waist look one size slimmer and more shapely, instantly."  They also state they are not intended to reduce the waist by more than 2 inches.  The big change from their previous standard corsets are that they are now advertising spiral steel boning instead of the heavy flat steel they previously used which made their corsets so stiff.

Because my guinea pig took her corset home with her, I didn't tear it apart to see what was inside.  However, CS conveniently includes an example of the boning on the tag of the corset.  This is nice, I'm really glad to see they are not being evasive about their materials.  So here is the boning from the Instant Shape card next to the boning from the "Waist Taming" card.

See how itty bitty that bone on the left is?  The one on the right is what I would consider a "normal" 1/4" spiral steel bone.  I've never seen anything like the little skinny thing on the left.

 The website refers to these as 4mm spiral steel.  To check, I measured it, and yup, that seems pretty close.  The regular one is 7mm.  So this is really light boning, and there's not very much of it.  It's exaggerated by the fact the example I got is a size 22,   One bone on each seam can be enough for a smaller size, but those seams get pretty far apart in the larger sizes.  I always prefer having at least one bone in the middle of the panel for larger sizes.


In addition to the boning, this corset feels lightweight and flimsy all around.  The exterior fabric is a nice color, but has a cheap feel to it.  The interior fabric is a thin twill, and it feels like those are the only two layers in the corset.  The seams and bones are reinforced with interior twill casings that feel pretty secure, though.  If a bone works it's way through the fabric I would imagine it would come out the front rather than the back.

Where You Should Buy a Corset, Part 2

There are a million things to consider when buying a corset: style, shape, social responsibility...  But the most important calculation is cost versus quality.  Because corsets are an item (I like to compare them to shoes) that vary so widely in both cost and quality, the trick is to get the best quality you can at a price you can afford.

Obviously the price one can afford is different for everyone.  It also matters how you are going to use the corset and what quality you are going to need.  Just like shoes, if you're going to wear a corset every day you want to get something that is going to be comfortable and that is going to last.  Sometimes your needs might be equivalent to a pair of dress heels you're only ever going to wear once and you might be able to get away with something less expensive.  And you might not even be sure corsets are really for you, so you want to start with something reasonably priced.

So I will be offering a few corset sellers at a range of prices who I would recommend, based on everything I know about them.  Note that I have not ever personally purchased from ANY of them.  What I know is based on what I've been told by friends who are customers, internet research, and word of mouth.  This is also not at ALL an exhaustive list, but merely somewhere to start.  There are lots of small sellers as previously discussed, and some larger sellers who I simply don't know enough about to feel confident recommending.  (Also, I have received no compensation of any kind from any of the following companies, except where noted.)

1. Orchard Corset - This company has been around a while, but they've recently stopped selling
anything but their own brand.  Everything I've read about their corsets has been very positive.  They use spiral steels and strong twill fabrics with waist tapes.  The best thing is that they have three different silhouette levels depending on how curvy your figure is, so they can accommodate those of us with larger hip-springs or tightlacers with their "level 3" corsets.  No, actually the best thing is probably the prices.  Their underbusts start at $69 and overbusts at $79.  Those are extremely reasonable prices, actually lower than what Corset Story typically charges these days, and the quality is much higher.  So this is definitely my go-to recommendation for anyone who was buying from considering Corset Story (Corsets-UK, etc).  The only caution is that these may not be the most long-lasting corsets and I'm not sure if they would be strong enough for waist training.  Also it seems they still have some fashion corsets and off brands in their clearance section, so make sure whatever you buy has the CS prefix before the model number.

2. Timeless Trends - This brand of corsets is very popular, both online and as sold through their many distributors.  You often see these corsets being sold by small vendors at Faires, conventions, etc.  The good news is that from everything I've heard, they are well made and very durable.  They have a lifetime exchange guarantee, even!  Everything else is similar to Orchard Corsets in that they use mostly spiral steels and twill fabric for strength.  They have a range of corset styles and a huge number
of fabrics available.  My main complaint is that a lot of their corsets seem to have the same shape (I typically identify them on sight, but then again that's true of lots of brands) and don't have a very large hip-spring.  They seem to work best on slim to average figures IMO, although they have a line with laces over the hips to adjust for larger hips.  (Personally I'd rather buy a corset that fits to begin with.)  Prices for underbusts start at $99.

3. Isabella Corsetry - Isabella Corsetry makes both custom and "immediate" standard sized corsets.  Her corsets are very attractive and curvy in shape and I'd say quite influential on the corset world.  Materials are similar to others in this price bracket and I believe all of these are handmade, unlike previous entries on the list.  The only drawback is that because they aren't mass-produced, limited colors, fabrics, and sizes may be in stock and there may be a wait for custom work.  Prices start at $160 for underbusts and go up from there.





4. What Katie Did - What Katie Did is a UK based company (that has a US branch) that sells all kinds of awesome vintage lingerie.  If you want bullet bras or girdles for a pin-up look, you should go to them.  They also carry a line of very nice corsets.  I've said before online that if I was going to buy an OTR corset, I'd probably buy from them and that's (probably) still true.  They cater to "vintage" figures which means large hip-springs (hey look, it's hard to shop for a corset when you have a 14" hip-spring, ok?). Many of their corset designs use hip gores to give it extra curve and strong hips.   My favorite feature of their store is their "Design Your Own Corset" section where you can take one of their corsets and chose your fabric, add contrast casings, waist stay, lace overlay, etc.  You can create something individual for you that matches your needs!  Prices are in the $200-300 range, although custom additions add extra, of course.

(Note: I am an affiliate for What Katie Did.  This means that if you buy something from them after clicking my links or the banner on the right I will get a commission.  I became their affiliate because I love their corsets!)

And those are the recs!  I think that once you hit the $300 range you should probably be looking at the smaller corset makers and seriously considering having something made custom.  As I said, there are other brands and options out there in these price ranges, but either I just don't know much about them or what I've heard has been mixed.

So I hope you've learned something through this series, and feel more confident going into any future corset purchase.

See the rest of this series: 

Corset Buying Guidelines and Where NOT to Buy a Corset, Part 1

Where Not to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story

Where You SHOULD Buy a Corset, Part 1

Where to Buy a Corset, Part 1: Independent Makers

So I've talked about some general corset buying guidelines, and where NOT to buy a corset, but where SHOULD you be looking?

Now there are a lot of great, reputable, quality shops, websites, and makers out there.  I can't list all of them, even if I was aware of all of them.  So I'm going to first talk about buying a corset from a independent maker and then in later posts I'll be recommending a few websites to buy OTR (off-the-rack) RTW (ready-to-wear) corsets.





But first let's talk about some common corsetry terms and what they mean.

OTR/RTW- As spelled out above these mean "off-the-rack" and "ready-to-wear" respectively.  These terms are used pretty interchangeably to mean a corset that is made to a standard size, from a standard pattern.  They are made/sized before you ever enter the equation.  Corsets are sold by waist measurement, meaning the measurement of the corset fully closed.  Therefore you will buy a corset with a waist size probably several inches smaller than your natural waist.   How curvy the corset is (and therefore what the rib/bust and hip measurements are) depends on the pattern and can vary a huge amount.

Made to Measure - (Sometimes called semi-custom) In the corset world, this means that you give a corsetiere your measurements and they make you a corset to those measurements.  This means they are drafting a pattern to fit you personally, but typically is only available in a certain style or choice of fabrics.  This is a good compromise between OTR and full custom corsetry as it takes less time and is therefore cheaper than a fully custom corset.  Beware, some unscrupulous websites have been known to advertise made-to-measure corsets which are actually just standard sized corsets which they pick based on the measurements you give.  They aren't made to fit you.  So beware of prices that seem too good to be true.

Custom (or full custom) - A custom corset is just that, completely customized to the buyer.  This may involve a corsetiere creating a completely new style/pattern to your specs, using any fabric(s) or embellishments you want, one or more mock-ups and fittings, and in general meeting whatever needs you have.  The main difference from made-to-measure is the mock-ups and possibly more tailored patterning, for example to address any assymmetry in your figure or acheive your designs.  Full custom will involved a lot more back and forth with the maker and a lot more time to make sure everything is perfect.  Which is why it's obviously the most expensive option.

Independent Corset Makers

So the first place I have to recommend that you purchase your corset is from an independent individual maker of handmade corsets.  For one thing, I am such a maker, so it's in my interest to encourage this.  But there are a lot of us out there trying to make a living or just some extra money by making corsets.  Corsets appeal to a niche market of individuals and buying mass-produced corsets takes business away from the small corset businesses out there who really need it.  

But it's difficult to talk about buying from independent makers because there are so many of us out there and makers vary so widely in style, specialty, price, and how we do business.  On the high end, there are corsetieres who offer incredibly time-consuming works of art to a few luxury customers for well over a thousand dollars.  If you're able to buy from them, that's awesome.  Have fun.

On the end of the scale are corset makers who sell either custom, made-to-measure, or OTR corsets for relatively cheap prices, probably somewhere around $200.  There are lots of Etsy sellers who offer these services.  There are a lot of reasons why corset makers sell their corsets cheaply: they are just starting out and need experience, they need portfolio work, they are testing their patterns, or they just make things for their friends.  I myself fall somewhere in this group.  I charge what I do for my corsets because I need experience fitting bodies that aren't my own, recently because I'm working on a standard corset pattern and need guinea pigs, and sometimes because I just happen to really need the money.  

So this is one of the reasons why it kills me that people pay close to $200 for a Corset Story corset when they could get a much higher quality corset for nearly the same price.  Now, dealing with an individual corset maker isn't as easy as clicking a button and adding a corset to your cart.  You might not be sure of the quality of what you're getting if you buy from a random individual on the internet.  If you are getting something made custom, you might be afraid of not getting the fit of your dreams, particularly if you're working long-distance.  These are somewhat valid concerns, particularly if you're trying to find a deal over the internet.  

To pick a corset maker, you can look at various things: reviews of their work online, feedback from other buyers, examples of their previous work.  And you can use some of the guidelines I posted earlier to help you ask about things like materials and construction to make sure you're getting what you think you are.  

Ultimately, when you hand someone your money, you're placing faith in them.  You have to trust that they are going to give you something worthwhile.  Not every corset you buy can be the ideal corset of your dreams because there is so much variation in shape and style and options that it can take years to find what suits you best.  But hopefully you'll be getting something worth what you paid, that meets your immediate needs.  

(Ok, I could write a whole post about what to expect when ordering a custom corset and what to do and not to do.  And maybe now I have to write that post.  Damn. ) 

Anyway, the point is that buying from an individual can be a little scary and we aren't as used to a transaction that is more personalized than buying something from Amazon, but with good communication and some luck, you can get truly exceptional things.  

So besides Etsy, where else do you find corset makers?  Well most corset makers have a website of some kind.  There are various lists of makers, such as Lucy's Corsetiere Map where you can find corset makers near you and Corset Fakery's List of Reputable Corset Sellers. 

You can also find corset sellers in the flesh at costume events, conventions, and other gatherings.  Different corset makers cater to different communities and might be found at steampunk events, reenactment events, goth events, pin-up events, etc, etc.  Sometimes they will have a booth and sometimes they might not, but you might strike up conversation with anyone wearing a particularly nice corset.  I know I'm personally almost incapable of accepting a compliment about my corset without somehow blurting out "I MADE IT" in what is probably a really awkward way.   At the least the corset wearer may have had theirs made for them by someone they can refer you to.  Having a corset maker in your area is always great because it can allow for in-person fittings which will improve the ultimate fit of your custom piece.

And I suppose that's enough blathering for today.  Next time, I'll recommend a few RTW corset sellers in a range of prices.

See the rest of this series: 
Corset Buying Guidelines and Where NOT to Buy a Corset, Part 1
Where Not to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story
Where You SHOULD Buy a Corset, Part 2

Where NOT to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story or Corsets UK

In my previous post on this topic, I gave some general guidelines on corset buying and mentioned the first two places I think you shouldn't buy a corset.  Today I'll tackle my opinion of the most popular online seller of steel boned corsets:

 Corset Story or Corsets UK

My opinion on Corset Story (I'll use that name, since I'm in the US) has changed a lot over time.  A few years ago I would have encouraged you to shop there and said I think their corsets were a good option for someone on a budget.  But things have changed my opinion over the years.

The bottom line is that I wouldn't recommend purchasing a corset from their store, for a few reasons.

1. Shape - All of their corsets are made from the same general pattern.  It has very little curve that at best gives a gentle backwards parenthesis shape.  For many/most women, this shape is actually LESS curvy than their natural one. It's a corset shape that I would only really recommend for very straight boyish figures (I would say thin, but I've known thin women with curvy hips and small waist), or apple shaped figures that want to get their shape closer to a straight up-and-down shape.

But generally, when I see someone in a Corset Story corset, I think, "Wow, your shape could be so much curvier and you could look better!"  I really, really have grown to hate that the vast majority of women in corsets these days all have that same, boring shape.  All of our bodies are vastly different.  Trust me, when you start making corsets you realize how much variation there actually is, even between two people who wear a similar size.  And custom corsetry, or even OTR (off the rack) corsetry made along different patterns and chosen wisely, celebrates those differences.  Everyone is going to be comfortable in a different style and shape of corset, because our rib cages are different, our waists are positioned differently, and we squish differently.  So I resent that Corset Story forces people into a One Shape Fits None mold.

Lastly, of course many of us have specific body types or features that mean we just aren't going to be comfortable in a Corset Story corset anyway.  I am too busty to comfortably wear them, and my hip spring is so huge I could seriously hurt myself if I tried to lace down in one of them.  Many women report they have pain in their hips or on their hip bone when they wear OTR corsets.  This is because they are not curvy enough and don't have enough room in the hip.  This is also why it is absolutely NOT recommended that anyone try to waist train in a Corset Story corset.  You cannot get a serious waist reduction from their corsets because there is not enough of a difference between the waist and the hip.  I often have women ask me how I get such a waist reduction and the truth is that I'm not doing anything other than wearing a custom, well-designed corset.  It shows off my natural shape and cinches me at the place I am most squishy.  If I put on a CS corset, it would look WAY different.  (See this photo of a side by side comparison of someone in a CS corset and a high quality OTR corset.)

2. Bones and Materials- I've never purchased or worn a CS corset, but I've handled them and had friends wear them, and been fairly impressed with their weight and durability.   But I've only recently learned more about what they are actually made from.

Corset Story is very vocal about the fact that their corsets are steel boned, but that's mostly all they will tell you.  (I'm excluding their "fashion corsets".  They are similar to the Ebay corsets discussed previously.  Do NOT buy them.) Maybe I'm naive, but I assumed that their steel boning was the same type of steel boning that corsetieres use.  I was wrong.

First of all, the majority of the bones in any CS corset are not spiral steel.  Spiral steel looks like this.  It is extremely flexible in all directions and will not develop any permanent bends or curves.  Most quality corsets are made predominantly with this type of steel.  It allows for very curvy shapes, and is very comfortable.  It also lasts forever because it doesn't develop curves or bends.

The other type of steel that corsetieres use is called flat steel, spring steel, or white steel.  It is made of spring steel, and usually is coated with a white substance to prevent rust.  It comes in lots of different thicknesses and strengths, but is also generally very flexible, but only in one direction.  It is therefore used at the front and back edges of corsets for stability and support.  Over time it can develop permanent curves or bends, but it takes quite a bit of wearing to do this, as spring steel will "spring" back to it's original shape much of the time.

From thecorsetauthority.tumblr.com

CS corsets are boned with steel, but it isn't either of these types.  It is flat steel, in that the boning is made of flat pieces of steel.  If there is any spiral boning in a CS corset, it is usually only 1-2 bones, usually only the ones over the bust.  (Their "waist training" line apparently is made with spiral steel and that is the only difference. The shape is still not waist training appropriate.)  The rest of the boning is very stiff steel, but it's not standard corset steel.  It appears to be laser cut from steel sheeting or scrap steel.  Now, beyond this I can't speak to what it actually is.  I've only seen pictures of it on the internet, and I don't know exactly what their bones are made of or where they source it.  But it is emphatically NOT standard corset spring steel made for the purpose.  It is not the same thing you would get in a handmade corset.

This steel is the reason (beyond patterning) why there is so little curve in CS corsets.  It makes them very stiff, and does not yield to the shape of the body in the way actual corset steel would.  It doesn't allow the freedom of movement that spiral steel does, will put much more pressure on your ribs, and be more painful.  It may (may!) be a reasonable cheap alternative to corset steel, but you should know that just because something says steel, doesn't mean it's the same as more expensive options.

Corset Buying Guidelines and Where Not to Buy a Corset, Part 1

I often get questions from people interested in buying their first corset. They want to know where I recommend they buy their corsets.  In the past I've hesitated to talk specifically about different shops and brands, but I now feel more confident in give some recommendations as to where to look and where to avoid.  Because I have a lot to say on the subject, this will be a series of posts.

Disclaimers - I am a corset maker and I sell corsets for money.  So I DO have a vested interest in where people chose to buy their corsets.  I also don't purchase ready-to-wear (RTW) corsets myself anymore, because I make all my own custom.  I haven't purchased a corset since 2010, so I can't personally speak to any of the sellers I mention, but my information is based on examining corsets from various sellers, and from reports from others.  Finally, this is all my personal opinion.  Opinions and experiences differ from person to person and that's perfectly fine.  Also, unless noted, I have received no compensation in any form for any of my opinions.

General Corset Buying Tips

What you're looking for in a corset will vary wildly from individual to individual based on the look you're going for, your experience with corsets, and your own body shape and specifics.  So it's difficult to give general advice for what to look for.  Here are a few things I would pay attention to.

• Steel bones and the type of bones  - Most corset buyers these days know they are looking for steel instead of plastic.  Plastic bones warp very easily, sometimes in only a few hours of wear.  They also can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous and generally are not worth any amount of money.  But beyond steel, you should look into the type of steel bones used.  Most quality corsets are primarily boned with spiral steel, which is flexible, comfortable, and encourages curves.  Many cheap corsets are boned with flat steel, which makes them less comfortable and more cylindrical in shape, but cheaper to produce.  
• Type of fabric - what gives a corset its strength isn't just the bones, but the type of fabric(s) used.  High quality corsets typically use coutil as a strength fabric, but there are cheaper alternatives that work almost as well such as cotton duck and twill.  Not all corset listings will tell you all the fabrics used, but it's something to look for and be aware of.  
• General shape and construction of the corset - A corset can only shape you to the extent that the corset itself is shaped.  If the corset is only gently curved, you won't get much of a waist reduction out of it.  What are the waist and hip measurements and how do they relate to your own?  Many cheap corsets are less curvy than the average woman is naturally.  Which defeats the whole point, IMO.  As for construction, you won't really be able to tell much, except you can see or read how many bones a corset has.  In general (to a certain point) the more bones a corset has, the more comfortable it will be, the better it will shape you, and the stronger it will be.  Another important number is the number of panels a corset has.  The more panels, the better shaping the corset can give and the more curve it can have.  A common number of panels for a corset is 10-12, or 5-6 per side.  There are an infinite number of ways to construct corset panels, however, so this can vary.  However corsets with a very low number of panels, such as 4, should be a sign of low quality and cheap construction.  I have a hard time calling 4 panel constructions corsets at all.  They are more like boned garments to me.  
• Reputation of company/maker - When buying anything online, especially if you're going to be spending a significant amount of money, it's a good idea to do your research.  Some sites (such as Ebay and Etsy) allow you to look at the feedback of sellers.  But there are also lots of sites out there devoted to reviewing corsets to help buyers make good choices.  I recommend you start your research at Lucy Corsetry.  Lucy has tons of reviews of corsets up, and her site is a treasure trove of information about corseting.  But a general googling of the seller/company you are considering buying from should be helpful, too.
• Shop around - Corsets vary hugely in price, style, and quality, so it helps to know about as many options as possible before you buy.  

More general advice:  I have an old post about what to look for in a quality corset and the Lingerie Addict has a good article on the topic as well.

Where Not To Buy A Corset

1. Ebay

Now, right off the bat this one has exceptions.  It's not that you cannot find a good quality corset on Ebay.  But the ratio of quality, real corsets to horrible, horrible crap is not favorable for the buyer. Ebay is filled with cheap rip-offs of better quality corsets.  I've personally taken apart several cheap corsets bought off Ebay, and the quality is so bad I consider them actually dangerous.  The plastic boning used has the strength of a plastic coffee stirrer, and the fabric is typically some hideous satin leotard fabric.  These are "corsets" so poor in quality that I doubt you could get through a single evening before the boning sags outwards and gives you a cheap corset potbelly.

Moreover the sellers on Ebay (and other cheap corset websites) tend towards very dishonest selling practices in which they use photos of designer couture corsets to sell their cheap knock-offs.  If they DO post pictures of their actual product, the photos are usually manipulated, either digitally or through sneaky lacing techniques, to look curvier than they usually are.  The standard shape for these "corsets" is a straight up-and-down barrel shape with no curve at all.  They don't even have a waist!

As I said, there are reputable makers who still sell on Ebay, but unless you have reliable information as to a maker's reputation and quality, I would avoid Ebay.

2.  Renaissance Faires or other Festivals/Conventions

Look, it's possible to buy both very, very poor quality corsets and decent quality corsets at in-person events.  I personally sell corsets at conventions, so it's not that I'm telling you never to buy a corset in person.  "Wait," you might say, "wouldn't it be a great idea to buy a corset in person because you can see what you're getting and try it on? "  Yes and no.  In theory the idea of buying a corset in person is fantastic.  But in reality there are a LOT of very shoddy corsets sold to people at these events.

Ren Faires and other large events feature a variety of sellers, from truly skilled artisans to people who sell their wares overpriced and in large numbers.  The corset sellers I've had interactions with and heard about unfortunately seem to fall into the latter category.  The vast majority of the corsets you will see for sale are plastic boned.  Some of them are of truly ASTOUNDINGLY bad quality and moreover, way overpriced.

Someone brought me a corset to look at once that had been bought for over $300 at a Renaissance Faire.  My reaction was mostly speechlessness, but I did manage to say that it looked like what someone would make if they had had a corset described to them but had never actually seen one. (Guys, the bone channels were about an inch wide, with plastic 1/4" bones just floating loose in them.  And this is a very well known seller.)  In this particular instance, the corset had been laced onto the buyer by the seller and looked decent at that time, but the buyer never examined it closely until they got home and took it off.  And it never looked that good on again.  Some sellers unfortunately know how to pressure people into sales and are experts at avoiding or lying in response to questions about materials and quality.  And I have personally been chased out of shops/stalls multiple times when I was looking too closely at the corsets on display.

So if you are going to buy a corset at an event, make sure you do your research about what makes a quality corset first.  Ask specific questions about the materials used (boning and fabric) and examine the corset closely. A reputable maker/seller will be happy to talk about the construction and materials used.  If you get too much pressure from the salesperson, leave and think about it before buying.  Hey, you have the internet on your phone, right?  Do some quick research on the shop name.  And don't shop drunk.  Unless you're shopping at my booth.  ;)


In the next post, I will be tackling that megalith of corset sellers, Corsets UK/Corset Story.  I will explain why you should really think hard before buying from them. And eventually I will get to where you SHOULD buy a corset.  :)


The rest of this series is now up: Where Not to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story
Where You SHOULD Buy a Corset, Part 1
Where You SHOULD Buy a Corset, Part 2